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SEIA is the solar energy industry’s go-to source for the latest coverage on solar power, including U.S. and international policy, research and polls, business and financing trends, and more. Our staff strives to support the media covering solar energy issues and guide our members on effective media outreach with clear statements, background materials, news and multimedia resources.

SEIA is committed to informing policymakers, the media, and the American public about the benefits of solar energy for today’s communities, our economy, and our country.

March 28, 2013 – Albany, NY – Governor Cuomo’s NY-Sun Competitive PV Program is drawing strong participation from New York energy customers and solar developers. In a successful first round, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) awarded $46 million for 76 large-scale projects totaling 52 megawatts (MW) of new solar capacity, enough to power nearly 9,000 New York homes. Solar advocates and industry applauded the early results of the program and the state’s continued commitment to bringing reliable clean power and local solar jobs to New York.

No fewer than two in three Americans want the U.S. to put more emphasis on producing domestic energy using solar power (76%), wind (71%), and natural gas (65%). Far fewer want to emphasize the production of oil (46%) and the use of nuclear power (37%). Least favored is coal, with about one in three Americans wanting to prioritize its domestic production.

The Senate and House passed a six-month funding bill to avert a government shutdown when the current continuing resolution expires March 27. The bill does not replace the sequestration, but does provide detailed appropriations for several departments.

The Obama Administration has released a sweeping environmental plan for solar energy projects in California's Mojave Desert and five other western states that aims to expedite the permitting process while protecting sensitive lands and endangered wildlife.

Any discussion about U.S. energy today inevitably turns to the new, abundant and cheap natural gas supplies being fracked from shale basins -- and how solar and wind can compete with it. But if you think of wind, solar and other renewable energy as an hedge against natural gas's price volatility, they start to look a bit more competitive.

Washington University in St. Louis and a consortium of universities, laboratories and industry partners are in the process of launching the Solar Energy Research Institute in India and the United States to coordinate efforts to create low-cost solar cells and systems.